Smokers urged to quit in January for a healthy 2013 (From Messenger Newspapers)

Trafford smokers urged to quit in January for a healthy 2013

10:00am Wednesday 9th January 2013 in News

SMOKERS in Trafford who have made a resolution to kick the habit are being reminded that free support is available through the Trafford stop smoking service.

The Trafford stop smoking service can help smokers with their quit attempt, and NHS Quit Kits are also available from participating pharmacies in the borough.

As well as the financial benefits of stopping smoking, those who attempt to quit will experience physical improvements including increased energy, and longer term, a reduced risk of heart disease and lung cancer.

The Department of Health has launched a hard hitting new year campaign that features TV ads showing a tumour growing on a cigarette as it is smoked, which is designed to show that every cigarette is potentially harmful.

Trafford has an estimated 32,000 smokers costing the borough approximately £53.4million every year through costs to NHS services, loss of work from sick days and early death, as well as litter and fires.

Abdul Razzaq, Trafford’s director of public health, said: “We want to help as many people as possible in Trafford to kick the habit this January. Last year, our stop smoking service helped over 1,300 people successfully quit. Everyone wanting to stop smoking will be offered advice and support to help them in their quit attempt. If you’ve been thinking about quitting, now is the time to do it.”

Contact Trafford’s stop smoking service on 0300 456 2400 or email stopsmoking.trafford@nhs.net. You can also follow @SmokeFreeTraff on Twitter.

To find your nearest pharmacy that can provide a free Quit Kit to help you stop smoking, visit www.smokefree.nhs.uk.